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Barely two years to the 2027 presidential election, divisions have emerged within the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over efforts by some individuals to facilitate the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Naija News reports that the development comes as the PDP prepares to inaugurate its National Working Committee Zoning Committee and the 2027 Election Zoning Committee in Abuja today (Thursday).
Some senior members of the NWC, who are also part of the NEC, questioned why Jonathan, who left the party at a critical time and Obi, whose defection hurt the PDP’s 2023 prospects, should now be welcomed back.
Conversely, some NEC members support the idea of their return but stressed that the PDP already has credible presidential prospects, citing Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, among others.
Sources within the PDP leadership told Punch that the party has not formally approached Jonathan or Obi, adding that those reaching out are doing so individually, not on behalf of the party.
Recent political engagements, however, have fueled speculation. Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, met Jonathan in Bayelsa and Obi in Bauchi, with discussions reportedly touching on their possible return.
Prominent party figures such as former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido and ex-Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, have publicly urged both Jonathan and Obi to rejoin the PDP ahead of 2027.
While Obi has reiterated his loyalty to the Labour Party and its coalition partner ADC, Jonathan has neither confirmed nor denied speculation about a comeback bid.
Jonathan’s eligibility remains a subject of national debate, with a 2018 constitutional amendment barring anyone who has been sworn in twice as president or governor from contesting again.
A PDP NWC member told Punch that if Jonathan chooses to return, he will be welcomed by some, but with mixed feelings.
The source stated, “Well, the PDP has not officially reached out to these people. But some individuals are discussing with them, and not on behalf of the party.
“PDP remains the only genuine political party that has the people at its center. Those who wrote the party off can now see that the PDP is the party to beat in the 2027 election. It is a party with structure across all wards, local governments, geopolitical zones, and states.
“That is why many Nigerians are trooping in and joining the party. The PDP is open to all Nigerians who are ready to submit themselves to the party’s rules. This includes former President Jonathan and Obi. However, the PDP will receive both Jonathan and Obi with mixed feelings, because they dumped the party at a critical time when the party needed them, and their previous actions affected the party’s fortunes.
“Jonathan abandoned the party after the 2015 election, at a time when he should have been leading the party and repositioning it. Obi also left in the heat of the 2019 elections, and his defection, no doubt, affected the party’s performance in that year’s presidential election.
“So, while we welcome as many Nigerians as possible, we will receive Jonathan and Obi based on these reasons, with the hope that they will submit themselves to the party’s rules and will not come to dictate to the party. Whatever they want to achieve can be achieved through the PDP, but they must be willing and ready to participate in a level playing field for all, because that is what our party stands for.”
Another NWC member, in an interview with Punch, stated that those advocating for Jonathan’s candidacy are motivated by selfish interests, while stressing that Obi must be willing to return to the party.
He stated, “I am a leader in this party. We are reading and hearing that the PDP is in talks with Jonathan and Obi. I am not aware of this because there has been no official communication between our party and these individuals.
“You see, Jonathan needs to ask those who are urging him to run an important question: are they asking him to run because they believe in his capacity, or for their selfish interests?
“As for Obi, is he ready to submit himself to PDP rules? Here in the PDP, we follow due process, and members are treated equally.
“They will be welcomed into the party if they want to return, but they must be ready to submit themselves to party processes, because the PDP will be fair to all going forward. There will be no preferential treatment for anyone.”
The post 2027: ‘Jonathan Abandoned The Party After 2015’ – PDP NWC Member Condemns Planned Return appeared first on Naija News.
